Microbial-Based Designer Foods: Designing Next-Generation Functional Foods Powered by Microbes

Designer foods can be defined as food items which are designed to deliver health benefits beyond their nutritional value. These can be considered as functional or fortified foods and usually contain additional components or qualities that can be tailored for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Designer foods are also consumed for their enhanced flavor and can be utilized to combat food scarcity. There is also a global concern regarding the health hazards of chemicals used in modern foods as additives, antioxidants, colorants, flavors and preservatives, some of which have potential harmful effects. Rising health concerns amongst consumers have led to an increasing demand for food items supplemented with natural and healthy ingredients. In addition to their health benefits, designer foods which are either totally microbially-derived or contain ingredients of microbial origin can also provide a solution to the harmful effects of chemicals. The advent of microbial-biotechnology and fermentation technology has expanded the production of designer foods using microorganisms, including the replacement of animal proteins with vegan proteins and colorants derived from microbial pigments.